Population

1999-2008 - Dimensions

Total

Historical Data

Dimension

1999-2008

1998-2007

Total

6.03.4 / 8.5

6.03.4 / 8.5

DSU - Data statistically unreliable.

Methodology

To create linked data files, death certificates are linked with corresponding birth certificates for infants who die in the U.S. before their first birthday. The linked file is used for calculating infant mortality rates by race and ethnicity because these variables are more accurately collected on the birth certificate than the death certificate.

Depending upon county population size, the period county percent for the most recent 3, 5, or 10 years is reported.

Data Source(s)

Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set

Description
National linked files of live births and infant deaths link information from the birth certificate to information from the death certificate for each infant death in the U.S. The purpose of the linkage is to use the additional variables from the birth certificate for research on infant mortality.

MethodologyStarting with data year 1995, more timely linked file data are produced in a period data format preceding the release of the corresponding birth cohort format. The 2006 period linked file contains a numerator file that consists of all infant deaths occur.